THE community sports group SporTedd has been donating money to more local causes following new applications for funding, it was announced today.
Three projects have received a total of £3720 following consideration by the group, which was set up just over two years ago to help those initiatives, which may not qualify for local authority money.
A grant of £1000 was made to DSActive, a special sports programme for the Down’s Syndrome Association based in Teddington, which will provide new funds to purchase sports equipment and clothing.
Alex Rawles, project manager for DSActive, said: “We are so very delighted to be given this grant from SporTedd – it will make a significant difference. The sports programme DSActive is transforming the lives of children and adults with Down’s Syndrome by giving them opportunities to take part in sport.“The donation from SportTedd will enable the innovative programme to purchase much needed equipment for the participants.”
The second donation of £2000 was made to The Friends of Murray Park to help them raise £3000 to launch a Junior Park Run.
Lynda Hance, treasurer for the Friends of Murray Park, said: “Thank you so much your tremendous support! This money will make all the difference to us being able to set up with confidence that we can check, train and provide uniforms for our volunteers.”
The third donation of £720 in the current round of grants was awarded to the Kingston and Richmond branch of Crossroads Care to help them purchase twelve karate kits for young carers with disabilities.
The CEO of Crossroads Care, Julie Da Costa said: “Your support helps us continue in our mission to provide vital services to those often hard to reach families and Carers – outside the statutory framework.
“The generous support of organisations and Trusts like SporTedd makes it possible for our organisation to continue and grow and provide high quality services to carers and the people they care for.
“Sponsorship, fundraising, volunteering and donations are especially important, as we face the daunting challenges within the current economic environment.”
SporTedd is supported by local men and women who have an interest in sport or a professional connection to sport and raises funds through a £100 a head annual subscription and various fund-raising events with high profile speakers such as Lord Coe, RFU referee Wayne Barnes, former CEO of Manchester United and Chelsea Peter Kenyon, the All England Club’s commercial director Mick Desmond and England’s most-capped rugby player Jason Leonard.
Chair of SporTedd, Stuart Higgins, said: “SporTedd is growing slowly but we genuinely feel delighted that we are making a bit of an impact locally, especially when organisations, groups need financial support urgently and we can provide help quickly without the barriers of red-tape or process which sometimes seem insurmountable to these deserving causes.”